Community Briefs: Take a final peek at autumn beauty

Published: Friday, November 9, 2012 at 7:44 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 9, 2012 at 7:44 a.m.

Take a final peek at autumn beauty

While fall color at Chimney Rock is just past peak, there are still many yellows, golds, oranges and occasional reds to be seen throughout the park. The most vibrant colors are in the northern red oaks and golden hickories in the lower elevations. Fall foliage is beautiful down around Lake Lure, making the 75-mile views from atop the Chimney even more breathtaking. The colorful drive up the park road, from the Village to the Ticket Plaza, looks awesome right now. Although trees in the higher elevations have lost their leaves, leaf peepers should still be able to find reasonably good color in lower elevations of Hickory Nut Gorge through mid-November, weather permitting.

As warmer, sunnier weather returns later this week, grab your camera and hiking shoes to check out this season's grand finale of fall color in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. Park admission is only $15 adult, $7 youth (ages 6-15) and free for children youner than 6.

Plan your visit at chimneyrockpark.com.

ECO to carrotmob Jonga Java

The Environmental & Conservation Organization's first Carrotmob is set from noon to 7 p.m. Nov. 15 at Jongo Java, 117 S. Main St., Hendersonville.

The carrotmob movement began four years ago to help provide local businesses with the financial ability to make some solid green changes.

The carrotmob model is simple: a business makes an agreement to put profits from the carrotmob toward something positive (for example, energy efficiency), supportive consumers come out and make purchases (the "carrotmob"), then the business makes the change with the profits gained from the consumers. The concept behind the movement encourages consumer-driven change that is ultimately the opposite of a boycott.

Jongo Java jumped on the idea of being carrotmobbed, and has offered to put 75 percent of profits from a carrotmob toward energy efficient lighting. Jongo Java is always searching for new ways to reduce its impact on the environment, but this particular change proved difficult because of the upfront cost. This carrotmob is designed to help them afford the cost of purchasing highly efficient and long-lasting LED lights.

To learn more about ECO's carrotmobbing campaign visit www.eco-wnc.org or call 828-692-0385.

Permit needed to collect firewood

The U.S. Forest Service today reminded residents who live near the Nantahala, Pisgah, Uwharrie, and Croatan national forests that they need a permit to collect firewood for home heating purposes this winter.

A permit costs $20 for about four cords of firewood for personal use. A permit holder may take a maximum of 16 cords (or four permits) of firewood in a calendar year.

Firewood may not be harvested in wilderness areas, active timber sale areas, campgrounds and day-use areas. Permit holders are limited to harvesting dead and downed trees; standing trees (live or dead) may not be cut. Firewood permits must be in the permit holder's possession while harvesting and transporting products. Permit sales are final and cannot be refunded or transferred. Firewood harvested under these permits is for personal use only and may not be resold.

Local residents can purchase firewood permits from local ranger district offices.

A list of district office addresses is available online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc, click on "Ranger District Offices."

<p>Take a final peek at autumn beauty</p><p>While fall color at Chimney Rock is just past peak, there are still many yellows, golds, oranges and occasional reds to be seen throughout the park. The most vibrant colors are in the northern red oaks and golden hickories in the lower elevations. Fall foliage is beautiful down around Lake Lure, making the 75-mile views from atop the Chimney even more breathtaking. The colorful drive up the park road, from the Village to the Ticket Plaza, looks awesome right now. Although trees in the higher elevations have lost their leaves, leaf peepers should still be able to find reasonably good color in lower elevations of Hickory Nut Gorge through mid-November, weather permitting.</p><p>As warmer, sunnier weather returns later this week, grab your camera and hiking shoes to check out this season's grand finale of fall color in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. Park admission is only $15 adult, $7 youth (ages 6-15) and free for children youner than 6. </p><p>Plan your visit at chimneyrockpark.com.</p><p>ECO to carrotmob Jonga Java</p><p>The Environmental & Conservation Organization's first Carrotmob is set from noon to 7 p.m. Nov. 15 at Jongo Java, 117 S. Main St., Hendersonville.</p><p>The carrotmob movement began four years ago to help provide local businesses with the financial ability to make some solid green changes. </p><p>The carrotmob model is simple: a business makes an agreement to put profits from the carrotmob toward something positive (for example, energy efficiency), supportive consumers come out and make purchases (the "carrotmob"), then the business makes the change with the profits gained from the consumers. The concept behind the movement encourages consumer-driven change that is ultimately the opposite of a boycott. </p><p>Jongo Java jumped on the idea of being carrotmobbed, and has offered to put 75 percent of profits from a carrotmob toward energy efficient lighting. Jongo Java is always searching for new ways to reduce its impact on the environment, but this particular change proved difficult because of the upfront cost. This carrotmob is designed to help them afford the cost of purchasing highly efficient and long-lasting LED lights. </p><p>To learn more about ECO's carrotmobbing campaign visit www.eco-wnc.org or call 828-692-0385.</p><p>Permit needed to collect firewood</p><p>The U.S. Forest Service today reminded residents who live near the Nantahala, Pisgah, Uwharrie, and Croatan national forests that they need a permit to collect firewood for home heating purposes this winter.</p><p>A permit costs $20 for about four cords of firewood for personal use. A permit holder may take a maximum of 16 cords (or four permits) of firewood in a calendar year.</p><p>Firewood may not be harvested in wilderness areas, active timber sale areas, campgrounds and day-use areas. Permit holders are limited to harvesting dead and downed trees; standing trees (live or dead) may not be cut. Firewood permits must be in the permit holder's possession while harvesting and transporting products. Permit sales are final and cannot be refunded or transferred. Firewood harvested under these permits is for personal use only and may not be resold.</p><p>Local residents can purchase firewood permits from local ranger district offices. </p><p>A list of district office addresses is available online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc, click on "Ranger District Offices."</p>